First Londoner dies of swine flu

A teenager has become the first London patient to die after contracting swine flu.

The 19-year-old man, from Lewisham, died on Wednesday after complaining of flu-like symptoms. It is understood he was already seriously ill with a rare long-term healthcondition which left him with serious chest infections.

Paramedics took him to Lewisham hospital by ambulance after his family called the emergency services but doctors were unable to save his life and he was confirmed dead on arrival at accident and emergency.

Test results last night confirmed that the teenager was infected with the H1N1 virus and an inquest into his death is now expected to be opened.

The young man, who had learning difficulties, is the fourth confirmed swine flu death in Britain. Others have included a six-year-old girl from Birmingham who died last Friday and a woman from Scotland who had recently given birth.

This first London death comes a day after the Government said it could no longer stop the virus spreading. More than 7,447 swine flu cases have been confirmed so far in Britain, including at least 1,794 in London.

Experts say new cases of swine flu could reach 100,000 a day by next month with as many as four people dying every day.

Health chiefs confirmed the London victim had "serious underlying health problems". A statement issued by NHS London said: "It is with sadness that we have to announce the death of a patient in London who has subsequently testedpositive for H1N1 swine flu. The 19-year-old male from south London had serious underlying health problems.

"No further details will be released to protect patient confidentiality and we would ask themedia to respect the family's privacy at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with their loss."

The statement added that swine flu was a "mild illness" and that most people feel better within a few days without visiting their GP or hospitalemergency department.

But vulnerable people who display flu-like symptoms were warned to talk to their doctor. These include children, the pregnant, anyone over 65 or those with long-term conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

The Government has signed contracts for enough vaccine to cover the whole population. The first will become available next month with 60 million doses available by the end of the year.

Yesterday Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced a shift in focus from containment of the virus to treatment.

Doctors have now taken over diagnosis of swine flu in patients instead of waiting for lab tests to give a positive confirmation.

Patients are being told to stay at home while arrangements are made for them to get anti-viral drugs.

Simon Tanner, regional director of public health for London, said: "Our thoughts are with the family. I would take this opportunity to remind the public that for most people this is a mild illness.

"There will be vulnerable people who succumb to the illness and that happens with seasonal flu every year.

"Everything we are doing is to try to avoid that possibility but I can't say no one is going to die from swine flu."

Swine flu hit David Cameron's staff today as two workers at Conservative HQ were signed off with suspected cases of the disease.